For Auld Lang Syne

So, this is the New Year! 2011 is here, New Year's resolutions
are momentarily in full-swing, and the student recreation center is
soon to reach full capacity. The spring semester is always an
exciting time at the College of Veterinary Medicine: 1st
year students are desperately searching for the best odor
neutralizers after numerous failed attempts at freshening up their
large animal anatomy jumpsuits, 2nd year students are
looking forward to saving bananas from hemorrhaging out as we
fumble through our "Suturing for Dummies" textbook, 3rd
year students are about to step into full-time clinical rotations,
and 4th year students will soon be referred to as
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine!

Meanwhile, the College of Veterinary Medicine just finished up
conducting interviews for the upcoming Class of 2015. Throughout
the process, interviewees were welcomed by the Associate Dean for
Professional Programs, provided a complimentary lunch, and offered
a behind-the-scenes tour of the College of Veterinary Medicine,
Small Animal and Large Animal Teaching Hospitals. Throughout my
tours, two reoccurring questions were asked: what are my chances of
failing out? And, will I have time to have a life?

Our professors are not out to get you. Is veterinary school
difficult? Sure. Is it impossible? Absolutely not. If you are
confident in your abilities to learn the material and truly wish to
become a veterinarian, you will find a way to get the job done -
after all, you're a vet student! If for some reason things begin to
look a little shaky, you will have a massive cavalry of a support
system consisting of 131 fellow classmates, faculty and
administration doing everything in their power to help you ride out
the storm. The College of Veterinary Medicine has 132 degrees to
hand out at your graduation…they don't plan on running out any time
soon.

Lastly, I cannot stress the importance of reserving time for
yourself and the people who matter most to you. In my honest
opinion, taking time out of your day to walk the dog, ride your
horse, or watch the football game is the most important thing to
remember while in veterinary school. Spending countless hours in
the anatomy lab or staring at parasitic worms' life cycles will
make even the soundest mind go a little crazy. The fact of the
matter is: a veterinary student's well-being and happiness is far
more important than a few extra points on an exam. Mastering
classroom objectives, then applying them in a clinical atmosphere
is imperative; however, one must remember to never let that impede
one's ability to find the joy on a daily basis.